Are you contemplating skin removal surgery?
Extensive weight loss is a major achievement. But losing huge amounts of weight leaves its mark on the body: excess skin or stray pockets of fat and cellulite. This is especially true if you have weight loss surgery, such as bariatric surgery in Shreveport. These procedures often result in large amounts of weight loss in a short period of time. Tragically, significant weight loss can still leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own body.
In cases like these, body contouring procedures might be a viable option for you. In this post, our experts at The Plastic Surgery Center will answer all your questions about the different types of body contouring procedures.
Options for Skin Removal After Weight Loss in Shreveport
Several different procedures can improve body shape and contour. Skin removal surgery qualifies as body contouring, and procedures to tighten certain areas of the body can also improve body shape.
Some of the most common body contouring procedures we perform at The Plastic Surgery Center are:
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Bra Line and Back Fat Removal
- Lower body lift
- Shreveport Lipectomy
- Arm and Thigh Lift
- Shreveport panniculectomy
- Cellulite removal
Some of these procedures are more invasive and extensive than others. The best thing you can do when you’re looking for body contouring is to talk to your plastic surgeon about your expectations.
Let’s do a quick overview of each procedure.
Liposuction for Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Shreveport liposuction surgery is a popular method for extracting fat. In fact, it is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States. At The Plastic Surgery Center, we offer a revolutionary form of liposuction called VASER liposuction.
The VASER system utilizes ultrasound technology to liquefy fat cells within the body. This allows your surgical team to suction the fat cells out more easily. If you have pockets of fat left after weight loss, Dr. Wall can use liposuction to contour and tone your body further.
Liposuction is most effective when the patient has excellent skin and muscles that do not need tightening.
If you have been pregnant, the muscles of your abdomen will likely need re-tightening. In a case like this, Dr. Wall can perform liposuction and a tummy tuck at the same time.
Tummy Tuck for Excess Skin After Weight Loss
With or without excessive weight loss, many men and women have a flap of excess skin and fat in the lower stomach area.
A potential solution for this is a tummy tuck procedure in Shreveport, also known as an abdominoplasty. Tummy tucks are very popular post-weight loss and also post-pregnancy. Again, in the case of a post-pregnancy, Dr. Wall can perform a tummy tuck and liposuction at the same time.
A tummy tuck isn’t just a skin removal surgery. It provides re-tightening for the abdominal muscles. It can smooth, firm, and slim down the abdominal profile.
There are three different kinds of tummy tuck, each addressing individual patients’ concerns:
- Full abdominoplasty
- Mini abdominoplasty
- Extended abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck can be one of the more invasive skin removal surgeries. Tummy tuck recovery should be planned prior to surgery.
Cellulite Removal
Most people, especially women, struggle with cellulite throughout their lives. Cellulite appears as a dimpling on the skin and is prominent in the buttock and thigh area. Even after significant weight loss, you may still struggle with cellulite in these areas. The Plastic Surgery Center uses Cellfina treatment to combat this problem.
Cellfina is minimally invasive and addresses the root cause of cellulite. Cellulite is not fat; its root cause is the connecting tissue beneath the skin tugging the skin downward. Cellfina eliminates this effect and leaves skin smooth.
Arm or Thigh Lift
Arm and thigh lifts are skin removal surgeries focused on those areas: the arms and thighs.
In both areas, your surgical team at The Plastic Surgery Center will excise the excess skin, and draw the remaining skin in more tightly. This will leave you with a more firm, youthful appearance in both areas.
FAQ for Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss
Our surgical team at The Plastic Surgery Center gets a lot of the same questions about skin removal surgery and other body contouring procedures. Below, we’ll answer a few of the more common ones:
How Long Should I Wait to Have Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss Surgery?
Though body contouring and skin removal surgeries are not as invasive as other surgeries, they are still surgeries. It is best not to rush into them.
For the best possible results, you should wait for your weight to plateau for at least three months. This means your weight has been stabilized for at least twelve weeks. This will usually happen about a year after your bariatric weight loss surgery.
What are the Side Effects of Skin Removal Surgery?
Some of these procedures are minimally invasive, and the potential side effects are minor. Bruising and skin irritation are always possibilities for even minor procedures.
Larger problems are certainly possible but not particularly probable. Dr. Wall will go over all potential risks with you before your procedure. It’s also important that we perform a complete medical check well before your procedure so we know what to expect.
Will Insurance Pay for Skin Removal Surgery?
This is a tricky question. Health insurers don’t cover the majority of cosmetic procedures. This is because insurance companies see cosmetic procedures as elective and not medically necessary.
With skin removal surgery, that isn’t always the case. There are times when heavy amounts of excess skin can cause medical problems like persistent skin irritation, rashes, lesions, and other issues. In these cases, if a doctor deems the procedure medically necessary, your insurance may cover the procedure. But it’s important to remember that each insurance company is different, so inquire with your insurance company.
Do Cosmetic Procedures Happen in a Hospital or a Doctor’s Office?
Most of these skin removal surgeries and other body contouring procedures will happen in a hospital’s outpatient facility or in a hospital OR. Whether or not the surgery happens in the OR will depend on the type of surgery you’re having and how much surgery is taking place.
At The Plastic Surgery Center, we look at each patient individually and try to limit any time on the OR table.
Shreveport Plastic Surgeon for Loose Skin After Weight Loss
If you or someone you love is considering a body contouring procedure in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, contact The Plastic Surgery Center by calling 318-221-1629. You can also leave us a message on our website to jumpstart your consultation process.
